ARCATA – The Humboldt State women’s basketball program signed three players – one Washington and two California natives – to the 2009-10 recruiting class, head coach Joddie Gleason announced
Tuesday.
Caitie Richards, a 5-10 guard from Snoqualmie, Wash., finished her junior season averaging 13.1 points , 4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 3.4 steals per game at Mount Si High School. Richards earned King County first team All-League honors, while leading the league in assists and steals. She plans to major in pre-med at HSU and was part of the Mt. Si High National Honor Society.
“Caitie has a very high basketball IQ and fits perfectly into our system,” Gleason said. “Having a shooting guard with her size and ability to both score and distribute the ball will be an asset for our program. We graduate some key scorers in the next two classes and see Caitie fitting into one of those impact roles.
“Caitie played for Jamie Prescott and the Emerald City Basketball Academy club team and Coach Dirk Hansen of Mt. Si High which means she is well coached and well prepared to play at the high level needed to succeed in our conference.”
Kristen Huffman, a native of Sacramento, is a 5-10 forward who helped the 2007-08 El Camino High School women’s basketball team post a 20-8 record. During her junior season Huffman averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds per game to earn the Capital Athletic League Most Valuable Player award. Once at HSU, Huffman plans to major in sociology/pre-law.
“We are very happy to have Kristen join our program. She is a competitor who can score and rebound from both the wing and forward positions,” Gleason said. “She is crafty around the basket to score or draw fouls and can also step out and hit from the perimeter. She currently plays in a successful program at El Camino High for coach Bill Baxter, and will bring an impressive work ethic and strong leadership skills to Humboldt State.
“Kristen’s club team experience with Nor Cal Elite and coaches Davin Johnson, Damond Edwards and Michele Massari have given her valuable time playing against some of the region and nation’s best players.”
Another Sacramento native is Deja Kinsey. The 5-7 guard helped lead her Kennedy High School team to the 2007-08 Sac-Joaquin championship. Kinsey earned Delta Valley first-team All-League honors after averaging 10.9 points, 2.1 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game her junior season.
“Deja has the ability to play all of the guard positions on the court,” Gleason said. “She can attack off the dribble and has great instincts and vision. Deja’s experience playing for coach Brandon Yung’s Sac-Joaquin Section Championship program at Kennedy High School and the excellent Norcal Elite Club Program have helped prepare her to play winning basketball.”
The Lumberjacks look to these recruits to fill the void that will be left by seniors Trisha Alaba, Jennifer Enos, Katie Franci and Kristina O’Keefe.
“Replacing four key seniors is imperative for the success of our program,” said Gleason. “We needed to bring in quality student-athletes and we feel that Caitie, Deja, and Kristen are just that. This trio of freshmen know the game, are competitive and can really put up big numbers. All three come to Humboldt from well-coached and well-respected high school and club programs and know what it takes to be successful on and off the court. They were highly recruited and we are thrilled that they chose Humboldt State in the early signing period.”